Team New Zealand and Ineos Britannia during the 37th America's Cup Photo: Ricardo Pinto / America's Cup
Team New Zealand's controversial decision to host the 37th America's Cup in Barcelona last year provided a major financial boost to the region.
The University of Barcelona and the Barcelona Capital Nàutica Foundation (FBCN) has released the outcome of their post event economic impact study which revealed a €1.034 billion positive economic benefit for the host venue.
Nearly 2 million visitors were counted over the 59 days, including 460,819 that travelled to Barcelona specifically to be part of the America's Cup event.
Hosting the event created the equivalent of 12,872 jobs in Barcelona and generated €208.5 million in tax revenue, according to the study.
The event ran from 22 August through to 19 October when Team New Zealand won the Auld Mug for the third time in a row beating INEOS Britannia 7-2 in the America's Cup Match.
Defender Emirates Team New Zealand's co-skippers Peter Burling (L) and Nathan Outteridge (R) raise the America's Cup trophy during the trophy ceremony after winning the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup, in Barcelona on October 19, 2024. Photo: Manaure Quintero / AFP
A total audience of 954 million viewers watched the sailing, including 9.6 million hours of watch time on YouTube, making the 37th edition the most watched America's Cup ever.
The official America's Cup E-Sports game was downloaded more than 100,000 times.
"The 37th edition of the America's Cup will always be remembered as one of the best yet and one that continued to build the commercial strength and audience of the widely recognised pinnacle event in sailing," said America's Cup chief executive Grant Dalton.
Team New Zealand, with British Challenger of Record (COR) The Royal Yacht Squadron, are yet to confirm when and where the next America's Cup will be.
The rules set out after Team New Zealand's win last year noted that the next America's Cup would be held within three years with a venue to be named by June this year.
The 38th America's Cup will once again be sailed in AC75 yachts with Team New Zealand and the COR agreeing to investigate campaign cost reduction measures including a budget cap and carbon cap for teams and to work on a strategy to further commercialise the America's Cup.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
